For 40 years Benchmark, a U.S. based manufacturer, has dedicated much attention and focus to both designing and creating the best wedding rings in the world. We believe quality comes from craft and craft comes from precision. Every corner of any brilliant piece that Benchmark has created has been meticulously planned.

Founded in 1881, Movado is recognized today for its iconic Museum® dial and modern aesthetic. This long, rich heritage of artistry and innovation in design, and a close, enduring association with the arts continue to define the Movado brand identity. Always in motion, Movado creates modern watches of exceptional craftsmanship and design distinction.

Gabriel & Co. is proud to maintain its esteemed reputation as an independent jewelry designer and manufacturer. Established in 1989 in New York City, Gabriel & Co. is a renowned presence in the world of jewelry.

Our Process

The custom jewelry designers at Dahlkempers’s Jewelry Connection can help you find the perfect solution for your custom jewelry design needs from concept to casting to the final creation of your unique vision.

Step 1. Get Inspired!Jewelry design begins with a spark of inspiration, whether it comes from something you saw somewhere, or from your imagination.Do you have an idea, but can't see a picture of it clearly in your mind? Then stop by and talk to one of our skilled jewelry craftsmen. We have years of experience creating custom jewelry designs, and we will work with you through the entire process, starting with the design concept. We can show you other custom jewelry pieces and help you understand the benefits and limitations of using various types of metals and gems, and what it might cost.

Step 2. The SketchA picture is worth a thousand words. Even if you "can't draw", simply pick up a pencil or a crayon, and make a rough sketch of your custom jewelry piece. It doesn't have to be drawn to scale. It doesn't have to be detailed. It doesn't have to be a perfect rendering of your jewelry design. It just has to show the basic idea and outline of the shape you can see in your mind's eye, so that we can see it too. If you are unable to put a sketch together, our designers will be happy to meet with you to put a sketch together.

Step 3. CAD RenderingOnce the high-level design is understood, the next step is to render the design sketch into a CAD (computer assisted design) drawing, which is a 3-D model of your jewelry. We will review the CAD drawing with you. The design can be further refined based on your comments and specifications.

Step 4. PrototypingAfter you approve the final CAD model, we will create an accurate prototype of your piece in wax for you to review.

Step 5. CastingThe design may be rendered by a computer, but the basic process is as old as metallurgy. The wax prototype is used to create the mold, and then molten metal is poured into the mold to create the original casting of your piece.

Step 6. FinishingOnce the casting is cooled, it is broken out of the mold, and set with stones or whatever is needed to finish the piece.

Step 7. DeliveryThe artisans at Dahlkemper’s take pride in guiding you through your one-of-a-kind custom jewelry piece. This jewelry item is designed by you and will be enjoyed for many years.

Questions? Call us today at (814) 868-1910 to speak with our custom design team about turning your ideas and design sketches into a beautiful, unique piece of wearable art!